Today's work:

Today I finally got several hours to work on the bike. Here's the list of what I got done:
Intake manifolds removed, cleaned and sealed with liquid tape and reinstalled. (PO must have bought a new one, Number 3 looked brand new)
Carbs finished up and installed.
Airbox sides reinstalled.
Master cylinder checked, rebuild does not seem necessary (more to follow)
All electrical connections in headlight bucket disassembled/cleaned.
New turn signal installed (still need the bolt that holds it on the post).
Second fork cleaned/reassembled (still need to add fluid and put new dust seals on each side, then reinstall).
Valve clearance is good.
Remove all old rubber from valve cover/bolts, install new seals and reinstall cover/bolts.
Filled crankcase with oil.
Polished/cleaned some things.

The PO must have sprayed brake fluid on the front of the bike, I've got several spots on the frame and the front fender that the paint just wiped away while I was cleaning. :roll: What do you guys have good luck with for cleaning up the brake fluid residue before painting? I'm gonna give it some rattle can for now, and strip everything off next winter for a proper paint. Just need something to protect the metal for the summer.

Still to go:
Finish the forks
Bleed brakes/anti-dives.
Petcock rebuild.
Once I know the brakes are gonna be up to it, then I'll work on getting the engine running and carb adjustments.

 

Have to ask...just to be sure...you didn't actually FILL the crankcase with oil right? You DID put enough oil in so there is a little bubble in the sight window on the clutch cover with the bike on the center stand...right? ;-)

 

LOL, yes manbot. Still a bubble at the top of the window.

 

Not to hijack, but my bike says it takes 2.5 liters of oil. On the center stand, I don't have anything registering in the window. Is this normal? I am going to presume it is not.

Lou, great job man! I wish I could string that many hours together to get stuff done to my bike. Not that I am not grateful for everything in my life, but I wish I had a bit more time to spend on my bike too.

 

I thought the same had happened to me. Drained the oil and changed the oil filter, only to find that the crankcase guzzled oil (like 3 litres).
Only when it dawned on me that one can't see the bubble when the oil is clean....
I had to drain out 3 dl while watching the window... Man that clean oil is hard to see

 

Once a got my rebuilt engine primed and started i remembered the oil cooler took up some, and the spin on filter may take some up too, as long as the level off the clutch cover is between the marks it should be right.

 

I found that just getting down and watching the sight glass while pouring the oil in worked well for me. You can watch the oil pouring down into the clutch area for the first 1.5 quarts, then the level will actually start going up the sight glass.

 

Make sure the bike's on the centre stand.. If it's on the side stand, you're going to end up putting Waaaaay too much oil in.. There is such a thing as too much oil, when it gets hot, you need room for it to expand, or you're going to get a pressure build up in the case, and maybe find yourself sprayed with a lot of hot oil and a repair bil..

Oh yeah, and don't forget to put the oil filler cap on afterwards.. I forgot one time, and turned the engine over without it.. It's amazing how quickly you can coat the garage walls with oil.. Much better than any paint sprayer LoL..

 

Note that your crankcase will actually hold a *little* more than what is stamped outside the cover to see it in the sight glass. Also, even a "little" more if you change the filter.

After draining your oil, put the amount in according to what is stamped on the cover (-) 100 mL or so. Then continue adding a bit until you see oil in the sight glass. Then keep adding a bit more until there is just a little "bubble" under the top of the sight glass. You WILL be able to see the fresh oil, it should be honey colored. After a ride, let the bike sit for a couple of hours, put it on its centerstand and check the oil again. You'll likely need to add a little more. 3 L might be right for a 750 (2700 mL), especially if you changed the filter.

I only asked because his EXACT quote was FILLED the crankcase - but of course - he didn't mean it literally - some people do 8O .